KOIAE vs Smallpdf: Which PDF Tool Is Better in 2026?
If you work with PDF files regularly, you have probably come across online PDF tools such as KOIAE and Smallpdf. Both platforms make it easier to merge, split, compress, convert, edit, organize, and protect PDF documents online.
But which one is better for your needs?
In this guide, we compare KOIAE vs Smallpdf based on the tools and features currently available on their official websites.
KOIAE vs Smallpdf: Quick Comparison
| Feature | KOIAE | Smallpdf |
|---|---|---|
| PDF tools | 41+ tools | 30+ tools |
| Merge PDF | Yes | Yes |
| Split PDF | Yes | Yes |
| Compress PDF | Yes | Yes |
| PDF to Word | Yes | Yes |
| Word to PDF | Yes | Yes |
| JPG to PDF | Yes | Yes |
| PDF to JPG | Yes | Yes |
| Excel to PDF | Yes | Yes |
| OCR PDF | Yes | Yes |
| Rotate PDF | Yes | Yes |
| Unlock PDF | Yes | Yes |
| Protect PDF | Yes | Yes |
| Watermark PDF | Yes | Yes |
| Edit PDF | Yes | Yes |
| PDF signing | Yes | Yes |
| Free essential tools | Yes | Limited free access |
| Auto-delete | 1 hour | See current privacy terms |
| Encryption | 256-bit SSL | 256-bit TLS |
| Browser-based | Yes | Yes |
KOIAE currently advertises 41+ PDF tools, while Smallpdf currently advertises 30+ PDF tools on its website. The exact feature sets are different, so the number of tools alone does not determine which service is better.
What Is KOIAE?
KOIAE is an online PDF toolkit designed to let users work with PDF files directly in a web browser.
The current KOIAE website lists more than 41 PDF tools. Its highlighted tools include Merge PDF, Split PDF, Compress PDF, PDF to Word, Word to PDF, JPG to PDF, PDF to JPG, Rotate PDF, Unlock PDF, Protect PDF, Watermark PDF, OCR PDF, and Excel to PDF.
KOIAE also states that it works across devices, including Windows, Mac, Android, and iPhone, without requiring software installation.
KOIAE says its essential tools, including merging, splitting, and compressing PDFs, are free forever. Its homepage also states that there is no signup or watermark for these essential tools. Advanced converters, OCR, and security tools are part of KOIAE Premium.
What Is Smallpdf?
Smallpdf is an online PDF platform offering tools for converting, compressing, editing, organizing, signing, protecting, and working with PDF documents.
Smallpdf currently advertises more than 30 PDF tools. Its popular tools include PDF to Word, Merge PDF, JPG to PDF, Sign PDF, Edit PDF, Compress PDF, PDF OCR, PDF to Excel, PDF to PowerPoint, Word to PDF, Excel to PDF, PowerPoint to PDF, PDF to PDF/A, Split PDF, Rotate PDF, Delete PDF Pages, Extract PDF Pages, Organize PDF, Redact PDF, Watermark PDF, Protect PDF, and Unlock PDF.
Smallpdf also provides AI-powered PDF tools, mobile access, document management, and a Windows app.
PDF to Word: KOIAE vs Smallpdf
Both KOIAE and Smallpdf provide PDF to Word conversion.
KOIAE currently lists PDF to Word as a PRO tool and describes it as converting PDF files to editable DOCX documents.
Smallpdf also provides PDF to Word and describes the tool as converting PDFs into editable Word documents.
So, if PDF to Word is your main requirement, both KOIAE and Smallpdf provide the feature.
PDF Compression
Both platforms offer PDF compression.
KOIAE includes Compress PDF among its essential tools and says that essential tools such as compression are free forever.
Smallpdf also provides Compress PDF and describes it as a way to reduce PDF size while maintaining quality. Its current pricing page distinguishes between basic compression and stronger compression depending on the plan.
If you simply need to reduce the size of a PDF for email, uploading, or sharing, both platforms provide a solution.
PDF Conversion
KOIAE supports several common document conversions, including PDF to Word, Word to PDF, JPG to PDF, PDF to JPG, and Excel to PDF. These conversion tools are part of KOIAE's broader PDF toolkit.
Smallpdf offers a wider publicly listed range of conversion formats. Its current website includes:
- PDF to Word
- PDF to Excel
- PDF to PowerPoint
- PDF to Image
- Word to PDF
- Excel to PDF
- PowerPoint to PDF
- ODT to PDF
- ODS to PDF
- ODP to PDF
- TXT to PDF
- RTF to PDF
- HWP to PDF
- HTML to PDF
- EPUB to PDF
- ZIP to PDF
- CSV to PDF
- Pages to PDF
For users who need many different document formats, Smallpdf currently lists more conversion options.
OCR PDF
OCR is useful for scanned documents because it can make text searchable and easier to work with.
KOIAE provides an OCR PDF tool and currently marks it as a PRO feature. KOIAE describes it as a tool for making scanned PDFs searchable.
Smallpdf also provides PDF OCR. Its current pricing page lists OCR and OCR-based PDF-to-Word, PDF-to-Excel, and PDF-to-PPT capabilities.
Both platforms therefore provide OCR functionality, although their plans and usage limits may differ.
Editing PDF Files
Smallpdf has a strong focus on direct PDF editing. Its current website lists tools such as Edit PDF, PDF Annotator, PDF Reader, Number Pages, Crop, Redact, Watermark, PDF Form Filler, and Share PDF.
KOIAE also provides direct editing tools, including Edit PDF, Sign PDF, Fill Form, Crop PDF, Redact PDF, and Add Page Numbers, alongside its core toolkit of merging, splitting, compression, conversion, rotation, OCR, watermarking, and PDF security.
If your main requirement is editing text, annotations, forms, or redaction, both platforms provide capable tools.
PDF Signing
Smallpdf provides dedicated PDF signing functionality. Its website lists Sign PDF and also provides signature-related features through its Sign.com integration. Users can create electronic signatures, sign documents, request signatures, and track documents.
KOIAE also offers a Sign PDF tool, which is one of its free flagship features and lets you draw or type a signature and place it anywhere on a document.
AI PDF Tools
Smallpdf currently lists several AI PDF tools, including AI PDF Assistant, Chat with PDF, AI PDF Summarizer, Translate PDF, and AI Question Generator. These tools are included in Smallpdf's AI-powered tools category, with access depending on the plan.
KOIAE's current homepage focuses on its traditional PDF toolkit. If AI-powered PDF features are important to you, Smallpdf currently has a broader AI category.
Mobile and Desktop Access
KOIAE is designed as a browser-based service. Its website says it works on Windows, Mac, Android, and iPhone without requiring software installation.
Smallpdf provides a web platform as well as a mobile app and Windows app. Its website specifically promotes mobile PDF scanning and access across connected devices.
So both can be used online, while Smallpdf additionally provides dedicated apps.
Security and Privacy
Security is an important consideration when uploading documents online.
KOIAE currently highlights 256-bit SSL encryption, automatic file deletion, a 1-hour auto-delete window, browser-based processing for most tools, no watermark, and secure file processing. KOIAE states that most tools process files directly in the browser and that files uploaded to its servers are automatically deleted.
Smallpdf states that it uses 256-bit TLS encryption and is ISO/IEC 27001 certified. Its website also states that it is GDPR, CCPA, and nFADP compliant.
Both platforms emphasize document security, although they communicate their security approaches differently.
Free PDF Tools
KOIAE describes itself as a free online PDF toolkit and states that essential tools such as Merge PDF, Split PDF, and Compress PDF are free forever. It also says that these essential tools do not require signup and do not add watermarks.
Smallpdf also provides a Free plan. Its current pricing page says the Free plan includes 30+ document management tools, but with limited document downloads and limited mobile app access. Smallpdf also currently offers a 7-day free trial of its paid experience.
Therefore, users should compare the specific free limits of the tool they need before choosing a platform.
Smallpdf Pro
Smallpdf's current pricing page lists Free, Pro, Team, and Business plans.
The Pro plan includes unlimited access to all 30+ tools, unlimited document downloads, Edit Text, OCR, stronger compression, unlimited AI-powered tools, unlimited mobile app access, and additional features.
Team and Business plans add features such as centralized billing, member access management, priority or dedicated support, and custom pricing for larger organizations.
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose KOIAE if:
- You want a straightforward online PDF toolkit.
- You need common PDF tools such as Merge, Split, and Compress.
- You need PDF to Word or Word to PDF.
- You need JPG and PDF conversion.
- You want essential PDF tools that are free forever.
- You prefer browser-based PDF processing.
- You do not want to install software.
- You want automatic deletion of uploaded files.
Choose Smallpdf if:
- You need a broad range of PDF conversion formats.
- You need advanced PDF editing.
- You need annotations, forms, redaction, or page numbering.
- You need electronic signatures.
- You want AI PDF tools.
- You want mobile and Windows apps.
- You need cloud/document management features.
- You want team or business-oriented PDF workflows.
KOIAE vs Smallpdf: Final Verdict
KOIAE and Smallpdf are both useful PDF platforms, but they have different strengths.
KOIAE currently advertises 41+ PDF tools and focuses on providing a straightforward online PDF experience. It covers many common tasks, including Merge PDF, Split PDF, Compress PDF, PDF to Word, Word to PDF, JPG to PDF, PDF to JPG, OCR, Watermark, Protect, and Unlock. KOIAE also states that essential tools are free forever and highlights browser-based processing and automatic file deletion.
Smallpdf currently advertises 30+ tools and provides a broad set of explicitly listed document features, including PDF editing, annotations, signing, redaction, forms, multiple conversion formats, AI PDF tools, mobile access, and a Windows app.
So there is no single winner for every user. If you mainly need simple everyday PDF tasks, KOIAE is a strong option to try. If you need advanced editing, signing, AI tools, multiple conversion formats, and dedicated apps, Smallpdf may be a better fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is KOIAE better than Smallpdf?
It depends on your needs. KOIAE offers 41+ PDF tools and focuses on a simple browser-based experience, while Smallpdf offers 30+ tools with additional editing, signing, AI, mobile, and document-management features.
Does KOIAE have PDF to Word?
Yes. KOIAE currently provides PDF to Word conversion, and the tool is marked PRO on its website.
Does Smallpdf have PDF to Word?
Yes. Smallpdf provides PDF to Word conversion for creating editable Word documents.
Which has more PDF tools?
KOIAE currently advertises 41+ PDF tools, while Smallpdf advertises 30+ tools. However, the number of tools is not the only factor; the platforms offer different types of features.
Is KOIAE free?
KOIAE states that essential tools such as Merge PDF, Split PDF, and Compress PDF are free forever. Some advanced converters, OCR, and security tools are part of KOIAE Premium.
Is Smallpdf free?
Smallpdf has a Free plan with limited document downloads and limited mobile access. It also offers a 7-day free trial of its paid experience.
Which is better for AI PDF tools?
Smallpdf currently has a dedicated AI PDF category with tools such as Chat with PDF, AI PDF Summarizer, Translate PDF, and AI Question Generator.
Which is better for basic PDF tasks?
Both can handle common tasks such as merging, splitting, compressing, and converting PDFs. KOIAE may be attractive to users who want essential tools with a simple browser-based experience and free essential features.
Conclusion
KOIAE and Smallpdf both make PDF work easier without requiring traditional desktop PDF software.
KOIAE focuses on a simple online PDF toolkit with 41+ tools and free essential features.
Smallpdf offers a broader document workflow with editing, signing, AI features, multiple conversion formats, mobile access, and Windows software.
For basic PDF tasks and a simple online experience, KOIAE is worth trying. For advanced editing, signing, AI features, and broader document workflows, Smallpdf is a strong option. Choose the platform that best matches the PDF tasks you actually need.
